Eastern Anatolia - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 619

» Sırali Aydin ( 811 3151, 0533 453 3179; www.coruhoutdoor.com )
White-water rafting is also possible in July and August on the rapids around Çam-
lıhemşin (near Ayder). The rapids are smaller than the more exciting waters near Yusufeli,
but the Black Sea region has arguably the more impressive scenery. There are operators
on the Ardeşen-Çamlıhemşin road, including Dağraft ( 0464-752 4070; www.dagraft.com.tr ;
per person " 40-60) , which has routes geared towards rafters from amateurs to professionals
(grades 1-2 and 3-4; 3km to 9km).

Ayder

Just beyond Çamlıhemşin, en route to Ayder from the coast, the road forks. The right fork
leads up the Fırtına Valley; the left over the bridge and uphill to Ayder (17km). On both
roads, you'll pass Ottoman humpback bridges.
About 4.5km below Ayder, you will pass through the entrance gate to the Kaçkar
Dağları Milli Parkı (Kaçkar Mountains National Park; per vehicle " 10) .
The tourism hub of the Kaçkars, the high-pasture village of Ayder revels amidst a val-
ley perched at 1300m. Snowy slopes slide towards its rooftops between woodland in vari-
ous shades of green, waterfalls cascade to the river below, and traditional alpine-chalet
structures dot the steep hillside. Sadly, however, Ayder is becoming more like a ski resort
than a village. Nonetheless, it is worth visiting for an accessible taste of glorious Kaçkars
scenery.
The village is still really only busy during the trekking season (mid-May to mid-
September); at other times there may only be a few local families living here. During the
Çamlıhemşin Ayder Festival ( Click here ) accommodation can be almost impossible to
secure, and over weekends in July and August, Turkish tourists fill most pensions by mid-
afternoon.
The nominal village centre has restaurants, food shops, dolmuş and taxi stand. Accom-
modation and eateries are scattered for about 1km along the road either side of the centre.

Activities

TURKU TOUR
( 651 7230; www.turkutour.com ; İnönü Caddesi 35, Çamlıhemşin) Mehmet Demirci, owner of
pensions in Ayder and Çamlıhemşin, offers day walks, 4WD safaris, rafting, horse riding,
cross-country skiing and photography. He runs a minibus up the Fırtına Valley on summer

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